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Blackjack or Pontoon? See Which You Prefer
As a standard ingredient in your average casino recipe, blackjack is so popular that it has even spawned copycat games, pontoon being one of them. True fans of the original may not ever feel the need to defect, but there’s no harm in being across the variations should you ever feel like branching out – you might even find greater success with the alternative. Here are some of the main differences between classic blackjack and its British relative.
It’s all in a name
On a basic level, the lingo is a big part of what sets blackjack and pontoon apart, especially as much of the detail lies in terminology. Although the classic terms of blackjack aren’t exactly self-explanatory, they have infiltrated popular culture to the point that even novices may be familiar with “hitting”, “standing” and “doubling down”. The language used in pontoon is arguably simpler; for example, to stay with your bet and end your turn is to “stick”, while adding to your bet and your hand at once is simply called “buying a card”. In any case, the pursuit of proficiency in either game will likely require a familiarity with the names within the game.
Buying cards
Placing a bet in blackjack is always a high-stakes move, and while the same is true in pontoon, the difference lies in the option to buy cards. This move essentially involves doubling your bet for the opportunity to take a hit, or “twist”, and add a card to your hand. Unlike blackjack, pontoon also allows players with hands of more than two cards to buy. Of course, such a move can be quite risky, but it can also pay off well if you begin with a hand of low-value cards and manage to avoid going bust, in which case the extra buy-in can lead to a significantly higher payout.
The five-card trick
The simplicity of blackjack lies in its single-minded goal of reaching 21, a factor which no doubt contributes to it being one of the most popular card games. While this makes pontoon a similar game at its core, the introduction of a five-card trick option, similar to the ultimate poker hand, gives players another possible winning strategy. Failing these options, you can also win the round with a hand of three or four cards totalling 21, or less, if you are the closest. Essentially, if you like the idea of extra opportunities to win, pontoon makes a great alternative to the comparatively risky “21 or bust” mentality.
Dealer rules
A majority of casino games are skewed in favour of the house in some way, and pontoon is no exception, piling on several layers of disadvantage. The ultimate disparity comes through in the ruling that if a tie should occur, the dealer will automatically be declared the winner, and this is amplified by the fact that the dealer’s cards remain hidden until players have made standing bets. This makes it far more difficult to guess at your standing in comparison with the dealer, who is already in a position of fortune.
Payout
The discussion of financial gains is where things start to get interesting for most players, and it also represents one of the most significant differences between pontoon and blackjack. In the latter case, a “natural” comprising an ace and a card valued at ten (including all picture cards) is the best you can hope for, and will earn a payout of 3:2, or 150% of your original bet. By comparison, pontoon offers an appealing payout rate of 2:1, or 200%, for a natural hand, with healthy payouts on offer for other winning hands. This is to say that from a financial perspective, pontoon puts players in a relatively strong position, but when you consider that all of that extra opportunity is also afforded to others at the table, it makes for a competitive game.
There will always be some who vehemently believe that there’s no beating a classic, and if you’re in this camp, the game of pontoon might not be for you. On the other hand, much of the logical understanding and experience you stand to gain through a few tense rounds of blackjack is transferable, and you may even find the new game an easier route to success.
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Fast Track welcomes PolarLotto: taking online lotto in Sweden to new heights
Malta, 28th March 2024 – PolarLotto, a leading provider of lotto betting services in Sweden, has just announced a strategic partnership with Fast Track, a leading provider of CRM solutions designed specifically for the iGaming industry. This collaboration aims to propel PolarLotto’s expansion from offline to online offerings, bringing the excitement of the world’s biggest lotteries to Swedish players in a safe and responsible manner.
PolarLotto prides itself on its commitment to transparent and ethical gaming practices, with a focus on player safety and responsible gaming. By teaming up with Fast Track, PolarLotto aims to leverage cutting-edge technology to expand its business model from traditional to online, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for its customers.
Commenting on the partnership, Benjamin Burstein, CEO of PolarLotto, expressed enthusiasm about the possibilities ahead, stating, “We are excited to embark on this journey of transforming our business with the latest technology and automation tools provided by Fast Track. As we transition to the online space, we are confident that Fast Track’s expertise in custom segmentation, real-time data capabilities, and personalised experiences will enable us to better serve our players and achieve our business objectives.”
Fast Track also expressed confidence in the partnership, highlighting the potential for exceptional results through its Singularity model, which uses AI and machine learning to deliver tailored content to players, at the right time and through the most effective channel. “We are thrilled to partner with PolarLotto and support their online expansion,” said Simon Lidzén, CEO and co-founder of Fast Track. Our tools are designed to empower lean teams to achieve remarkable results, and we look forward to helping PolarLotto maximise their online presence and engagement.”
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Red Bull Gaming premieres ‘Memories of CS:GO’ documentary highlighting the game’s early years
As the CS2 PGL Major in Copenhagen is set to kick off, Red Bull Media House will unveil a captivating feature-length documentary, “Memories of CS:GO – The Early Years,” an ode to one of the most influential games ever made.
This film takes viewers on an immersive journey through the origins and evolution of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), featuring personal accounts and defining moments from several of the most legendary figures of the game.
The 90-minute documentary, narrated by Counter-Strike commentator Henry “HenryG” Greer, chronicles the remarkable trajectory of CS:GO, from its grassroots beginnings to becoming a global esports phenomenon.
Produced by Red Bull Media House, the film captures the essence of the game through the eyes of its most well known players, including Olof “olofmeister” Kajbjer Gustafsson, Patrik “f0rest” Lindberg, Richard “shox” Papillon, Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, and Jarosław “pashaBiceps” Jarząbkowski, among others.
The documentary’s release is timed to precede the playoff stage of the PGL Major Copenhagen, scheduled for March 26, 2024. It will premiere on Red Bull Gaming’s YouTube channel at 21:00 CEST, offering viewers worldwide an insider’s perspective on the beloved game.
Event Details:
- What: Premiere of “Memories of CS:GO – The Early Years”
- When: March 26th, 2024, at 21:00 CEST
- Where to watch: Red Bull Gaming’s Youtube Channel
- The “CS:GO Memories” documentary can be viewed shareit.redbull.com
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Ten Square Games ready for a new development opportunities in 2024
2023 ESPI package
The following documents in pdf format are equivalents of the official Consolidated Financial Statement which were reported in ESPI (download in the zip file above)
2023 Consolidated Financial Statement
2023 Management Board Report on Activities
Independent Auditor’s Report on the Audit of Annual Consolidated Financial Statements
Link to the stream
Link to the chat with individual investors
Presentation
Factsheet
Financial data
Transcription of the conference and Q&A session
For complete press release visit tensquaregames.com
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